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Dracut schools to seek override for schools

By John Collins, jcollins@lowellsun.com

Updated:
04/01/2013 10:11:41 PM EDT

DRACUT -- An already dire financial situation for the Dracut Public Schools is about to worsen, forcing the layoffs of a number of elementary school teachers in July, unless Town Meeting approves a Proposition 2 1/2 override in June, School Committee members warned members of the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee on Monday.

Chairman Michael McNamara said cuts in state and federal aid, coupled with increased funding obligations in health insurance and retirement benefits, and a lack of free cash in the town's treasury has left the board no alternative to seeking a Proposition 2 1/2 override from voters to fund Superintendent Steven Stone's requested 2014 Dracut Public Schools operating budget of $29,677,282 -- a 4.9 percent increase over last year -- to maintain current minimum school staffing and service levels.

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